NHTSA Complaint #10168772 — 2005 AIRSTREAM SPRINTER WESTFALIA

POSSIBLE FIRE AND ELECTROCUTION HAZARDS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET. THIS OUTLET IS LOCATED BEHIND THE RIGHT-REAR BACK DOOR. IT IS ABOUT ONE FOOT BELOW THE WATER CONNECTOR PLUG FOR THE OUTDOOR SHOWER. ALL THE MENTIONED EQUIPMENT WAS BUILT AND SOLD BY AIRSTREAM. 1. POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD: BOTH THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET AND THE CABLE (14/3 CABLE) ATTACHED TO IT ARE RATED FOR 15 AMPS. (THIS IS A TWO-PLUG OUTLET.) THE PROBLEM IS THAT: 1A. THE 15 AMP CABLE IS SPLICED TO A 20 AMP CABLE (12/3 CABLE) SOMEWHERE WITHIN THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. 1B. THEN THE 20 AMP CABLE RUNS TO A 20 AMP CIRCUIT BREAKER IN THE CIRCUIT BREAKER BOX. UNLESS THERE IS AN UNDOCUMENTED 15 AMP FUSE OR CIRCUIT BREAKER BETWEEN THE 12/3 CABLE AND THE 14/3 CABLE, IT IS POSSIBLE TO DRAW 20 AMPS THROUGH THE 14/3 CABLE CAUSING IT TO OVERHEAT. 2. POSSIBLE ELECTROCUTION HAZARD: 2A. THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET IS MOUNTED ABOUT ONE FOOT BELOW THE SNAP ON WATER PLUG FOR THE OUTDOOR SHOWER HOSE CONNECTION- THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET CAN EASILY GET SPLASHED. 2B. THE ELECTRICAL OUTLET DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE GROUND FAULT INTERRUPTION CIRCUITRY. 3. OTHER (POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL CODE VIOLATION). IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, THE OUTLET IS MOUNTED ON A DOOR (THAT ALLOWS ACCESS TO THE WATER HEATER AND SOME ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT). THIS INFORMATION WAS REPORTED TO AND RECEIVED BY AIRSTREAM CUSTOMER SERVICE ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2006. *JB